Rockets want to keep Dragic

The Sports Xchange

June 8, 2012 2:08 AM ET

--The Rockets have made it clear that they hope to sign Goran Dragic. Daryl Morey launched a Twitter campaign the night of the regular-season finale. He and Kevin McHale met with Dragic before Dragic's return to Slovenia. And when Kyle Lowry said he questioned whether Dragic would return to the Rockets with his predecessor as the starter still there, Morey said he believed they can share the position and at times the Rockets backcourt.

"I think they work well together as players," Morey said. "We plan to sign Goran."

Lowry's strength and Dragic's length at 6-foot-3 gives them opportunities to play together, but the Rockets paired point guards in the backcourt at times even when Aaron Brooks, at 5-10, was the starter with Lowry coming off the bench. They'd love to do it again with Lowry and Dragic.

--The Rockets' six-game late season losing streak cost them a playoff spot. The Rockets, however, hoped it was not a total loss. The Rockets might have melted under the heat of a playoff chase but did gain the experience that had been lacking, perhaps leading to the collapse.

"If you're going to play in meaningful games, there's going to be a lot of heat and people are going to be coming for you," coach Kevin McHale said. "There's just a level you have to understand. You have to go out there with that level in the forefront of your mind, knowing that it is going to be a battle. We had some teams coming gunning for us. We had a step back."